LEWISTON, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Men's Basketball team (11-16, 7-9 MAAC) took down the Purple Eagles of Niagara University (6-19, 3-12 MAAC) by a score of 76-69 inside the Gallagher Center on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Looking to post its second straight win for just the second time this season, the Jaspers were the Jaspers after taking down Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon.
- In response to a quick trey by Niagara, Fraser Roxburgh came alive rather quickly with his first triple of the night just 19 seconds after.
- Both teams would trade baskets before Marko Ljubicic netted his first three-pointer of the night to put the Green and White ahead by one.
- Beginning to widen its margin were the Jaspers and more specifically, Jaden Winston, who put together five consecutive points to give Manhattan its largest lead of the night at four.
- Terrance Jones joined the party with a bucket and one opportunity to put the Jaspers on an 8-0 run.
- Back-to-back Jones points that included a tip-in basket gave Manhattan a nine-point lead, before Roxburgh, again, netted another three-pointer to bring the lead to nine for the second time, just shy of three minutes remaining in the first half.
- Niagara came out hot with back-to-back points to shrink Manhattan's lead to just one possession before Roxburgh netted his third three-pointer to avoid any further bleeding.
- Another pair of buckets from Ljubicic and Jones gave the Jaspers a double-digit lead for the first time six minutes into the second stanza.
- The Purple Eagles continued to make things interesting midway through the second half to bring their deficit to just three, before Devin Dinkins netted a booming triple to bring the Jasper lead to six for a bit of breathing room.
- Roxburgh and Ljubicic combined for another six points off two baskets from distance, before Jones sank home the dagger with four minutes remaining to record its second victory in a row.
STATS AND NOTES
- Junior guard Jaden Winston paced the Jaspers with 21 points on the evening with a six-for-10 performance from the field. Winston logged three triples in four attempts, while converting a perfect six-for-six from the field. Additionally, Winston grabbed four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 37 minutes.
- Graduate guard Terrance Jones also added 21 points, which tied a career high, set against St. Joe's Brooklyn to open the campaign. Jones ' nine made field-goals is a new career-high for the Norfolk State transfer, with 20 total attempts as a new career-high for the respective category as well. Jones led the game with eight rebounds, added one assist, stole two, and converted two free throws in as many attempts in 34 minutes on the floor.
- Sophomore forward Fraser Roxburgh converted six of nine from the floor to total 16 points. Roxburgh's four made three-pointers tied a career-high with four made three-pointers, initially set back against Saint Peter's on February 5. Roxburgh grabbed seven rebounds, stole one, and assisted on two in 37 minutes.
- Winston is also 45 points away from becoming the 40th Jasper student-athlete in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point total.
- Manhattan converted 11 three-pointers in the game. The Jaspers have now logged five double-digit three-point performances as a team this year. This is also the second time in conference play this feat has been accomplished, since the Rider win on Friday, January 30.
- The Jaspers won the rebound battle 30-26 while grabbing nine offensive rebounds. The Jaspers also tallied one less turnover, 11-10, than Niagara.
- Manhattan posted 13 fast-break points, compared to six, while stealing a combined 10. Second-chance points were also in favor of the Green and White, 13-2.
- Against Niagara, the Jaspers are 5-0 in their last five contests, dating back to 2024.
NEXT UP
The Green and White continue its Western New York slate, as the Jaspers visit the Golden Griffins of Canisius University on Sunday, February 15, beginning at 1 p.m. from the Koessler Athletic Center. The contest can be viewed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
